The Sony RX10 Mark IV is an amazing camera in many ways and there is nothing else like it on the market. Although old in the tooth by modern standards (it was released in September 2017) and there seems no sign that a new model offering the same functionality will ever be made, it has a devoted following particularly with those using it for travel, wildlife still and video photography.
It does, like all camera designs, come with its own problems. One of the most annoying is the position of the tripod bush, near the back edge of the body. Fitting a quick-release tripod plate or any other attachment presents two problems. The first is that the plate protrudes from the back of the camera. The second is that if any attachment becomes loose it can rock in the bush and damage the edge of the body. There are photographs online showing the damage that has been done by a tripod plate or one of the types of strap that screws into the bush. I can only think the designers, trying to accommodate the large zoom lens (equivalent to 24-600 mm in 35 mm terms with a maximum aperture of f/2.4) could only find one place to put it.
There is a similar problem when trying to fit a Peak Design Clutch hand strap. I prefer a clutch, particularly for holding this type of still-video hybrid cameras and for using it and a small bag over the shoulder when using binoculars. The PD Clutch uses a small Arca-Swiss style plate to which the Anchor Link for the strap is attached. I realised that a bottom plate or L-bracket that screwed into the bush but which provided another bush near the centre of the body would be essential. I found one on Amazon UK. It is listed as Aumi L Plate Bracket QR Hand Grip Holder for Sony RX10. The plate is Arca-Swiss compatible, making tripod mounting a simple matter. However it lacked anywhere I could attach the PD Clutch. I would have to had added the small PD plate in addition to the Aumi Plate Bracket, making the camera even taller. Therefore, I decided to modify the Aumi Plate Bracket in order that a PD Anchor Link and hence a Clutch strap could be fitted.
Modifying the Aumi plate is not as simple as just drilling a hole for the Anchor Link. Material must be removed from the top and bottom of the plate in order for the PD Anchor Link to lie flat. In addition, the remaining bar cannot be too wide or too tall otherwise the Anchor Link will not fit. After working out the dimensions I used my small milling machine (Proxxon MF70) to make the cuts in the aluminium.
The diagrams show the dimensions for milling. At this stage I made no further modifications but on fitting the clutch I find the camera would not stand flat because the plastic fastener at the end of the strap came to lie below the plate. Since the part of the plate that went around the battery compartment seemed superfluous (and got in the way slightly when changing battery) I then removed it, taking care to leave sufficient of the lip that extends upwards to prevent the plate from rotating once the bolt is tightened. After that the camera lies flat on a surface. When all that was done I sprayed the bare parts with black paint and fitted the Clutch strap.
The first real test was a week’s trip to Portugal. I was prepared (a wrench of the right sizes in the pocket) should the bolt holding the bracket have come lose but it was as tight after a week of constant use as after I first put it in.
Therefore, I could use the Clutch strap and put the camera on a tripod or monopod with an Arca-Swiss style head without adding or changing anything. By adding another Anchor Link to the Clutch or to the adjacent strap lugs I could even add my PD neck strap. The tripod bush on the plate can also be used for accessories like a pistol grip.
I wish at times I had a 3D printer. I can envisage a very neat and light plate design.
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| The completed job with modified L-bracket plate and Peak Design Clutch Strap attached |
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| Unmodified plate showing where the attachment for the Peak Design Anchor Link was made |
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| Bottom and top views of the plate after the attachment point was made but before the loop around the battery cover was removed |
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| Top (camera side) view of the modified plate I left sufficient of the bar at bottom right for the camera-facing lip to prevent rotation of the plate |
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